with a new backsplash, I would think of leaving the neutral counters that you already have, therefore avoiding a large expense. I would consider some new doors to the uppers-with glass-to create a less top-heavy look. That will help because of your lower ceiling height. Think about a prettier window treatment, some pretty wall paper on the small wall by the table. The biggest bang for the buck would be investing in a wood floor-your choice whether solid or engineered.....but then, my bias is I'm not a fan of tile floors.

Updating the lighting would make a huge difference .... we had the 1980's fluorescent fixtures, hated them every day. Do you have a budget? That will impact what you are able to modify and what choices will give you the most bang for the buck.

I think you have a pretty neat kitchen. Therefore, I'd keep basically to the same color scheme. Cream countertop(Quartz?) if you have to change yours. Very similar backsplash. Maybe put on diagonal, for interest-say, 4 by 4 tiles?

Unless you crave color-but this is much bigger commitment. And it should be a color you really love. And you'll have a distinct line where the backsplash will end, on that wall close to the door and the table-unless you want to repaint too, that's something to take into account.

It can be something subtly patterned-say, cream and grayish green..

What color were you thinking of?

What style do you prefer?

You can even go all "granny chic" and do something floral, if you like it-not necessarily on the backsplash though.

You can repaint too, if you want a bigger change with lesser commitment.

I like your cream by the way-just another idea of color.

I don't think you should change the floors(even though I love, love wood floors)-you obviously have enough wood going on, and the tiles don't look busy, and probably are easy and practical to take care of. But I like herbflavor's idea of glass inserts. Well, because I always like the idea of glass inserts-not because your kitchen is in desperate need of glass inserts or something, I just love them:)

You are so lucky to have a kitchen with a decent layout and nice cabinets!

Color choices....what colors do you like? At the moment, the colors that I like are not popular so my selection is really limited... Have you looked at the colors available in the stores? Do any of them appeal to you?

It looks like you are ultimately going in the direction of stainless appliances, if you are happy with what you have I sure wouldn't get rid of the white now, but if you're a lukewarm on them then I would begin watching for sales and sometime over the next year or two you'll probably see something that you really like.

You could add color by painting the walls, if you were adding a deep color, I would keep the ceilings white or light, add new window treatments, add seat cushions (unless the set is more comfortable without), and possibly some area rugs.

New lighting (over kitchen, over table, and under cabinet to show the pretty backsplash), new window treatments and a backsplash and then remove everything from the counters and floor for the "beauty shot" put all of them in another room. If you use them in the following week they can go back on the counters but if you don't use them in the following week they need to find a place inside a cabinet. I'm not sure of the purpose of the bucket on the floor, but little things like that on the floor can be tripping hazards and it needs to go.

I have oak cabinets and recently added new countertops, farmhouse sink and backsplash. The farmhouse sink I had installed is the Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style. This farmhouse sink can be installed on a standard sink base because the slightly shorter front apron will not interfere with the doors. It is great for remodels that are keeping the cabinets and it is easier to install than traditional farmhouse sinks.

A couple of years ago I retrofitted a cabinet with plate rails and spice boxes and stained an unfinished wood hood to match my cabinets. I am not fond of microwaves over the range because I am short and also the range area can get too busy if someone is trying to cook and someone else wants to microwave at the same time. Also, a dedicated stove vent works better. Since you have a nice size kitchen, you might place a smaller microwave on the counter across from the stove.

I agree that removing the center panel in some doors and replacing with glass would be pretty. If you have more than enough storage, you could even remove a couple of uppers and place a small amount of open shelving, primarily for decor items or have one retrofitted by a carpenter with plate rail, cup hooks etc.

I feel like the trim work in your kitchen is slightly narrow for a cabin type home. Consider replacing with thicker casework or painting the crown molding the same as the wall along with the trim around the lights if you cannot replace the lights at this time.

My kitchen with new counters, sink, and backsplash is here:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57579129/thumbs/my-pics-work-in-progress

Here is how a cabinet can be retrofitted with plate rails:

Shelves between cabinets:

Glass doors - you can get frosted glass or shear fabric panels behind the glass for a cottage / cabin style.

Yes please consider different lights, some can lights around perimeter but above counters would help. Place two over the peninsula. Definitely paint the crown molding to match the walls, or white to match the ceiling. Consider a very soft green, like a gray that has green hues for the walls. Maybe use miniature subway tiles for the backsplash. They would look nice with any countertop you choose. You could keep the light one you have or even go with a soapstone lookalike granite.

Thanks all for great ideas!!! Because of our budget I am looking to just update the wall, door and window into double French doors , backsplash, and lighting...for now at least. I've added a few pictures of what I was looking at. I would love the kitchen to result in a warm welcoming kitchen, nothing too much...something that goes perfect with out raw cedar wood living room. I am very unsure of how and what so Again, thanks everyone for helping..

@ practigal, thanks for commenting on my post. I had fun reading your comment and I found my self smile at the end. I agree completely ! Although ,The bucket on the floor is my primer which I used the next day ;)

I also think that oak will look wonderful surrounded by green, more subtle or more deep. Well, wood usually do:)

Bluish gray too(Or grayish blue)). And I'm sure several other colors. But I think green is very very nice-it's not too cold a color, not too warm..it's somewhere in the middle there, and is very calming to the eye.

But it's extremely personal of course-you need to like being surrounded by green; or any color for that matter.

I wouldn't go for black countertop though-unless you really love black AND intend to change your white stove for black or stainless steel one.(talking about your inspirational pics now). Also not a fan of these mosaics-first, these kitchens have all different color scheme going on, including different color flooring; second, mosaics won't go with the warm and cozy cabin look..at least to me, there is something contradicting between rustic and warm-and busy glass mosaics; third, I'm not objective, I'm not a fan of this look and never was, so take my opinion here with a grain of salt:)

BTW my current kitchen is light oak and dark granite:) but all the appliances are black(the fridge is stainless steel though), and floor is yellow-beige travertine. It all works together, and looks pretty cozy, but it's not the kitchen of my dreams. I inherited it, so it was fine.

Maybe because of that I'm favoring your color scheme more)) It's more quiet, thus easier to work with.

I think paint color and maybe glass inserts-on the wall to the right-will do wonders.

You can find a backsplash first-and be inspired from it; or you can start with the general feel you're going for-and to arrive to backsplash in the end of your journey so to say:)

I agree with practigal in almost everything but the ceiling color: I think the deeper color you take for the walls, the more you need to tint the ceiling that same color. My personal experience in a new home with (mostly) standard ceilings.

You have a thin molding though, that might change things. I mean for choosing the paint:) Are you keeping it?

is your fridge white or ss?

Mdln, the fridge is stainless steel. I've never thought of having a green kitchen. Makes sense, something to consider

mdln, I second the idea to keep the tile floor if it doesn't bother you too much. I removed the tile for my reno and it was awful, awful work. Really dusty, loud and exhausting!

Ms K, I did not comment on the tile floor.

We had a very similar kitchen in my last house. We warmed it up with faux copper backsplash panels, better lighting and green paint. We use SW Sassy Green and it was amazing, fresh, warm, eclectic-cottage in feel. Good luck!